Rajasthan Royals head coach Rahul Dravid recently shared insights into the team's retention strategy for IPL 2025, spotlighting captain Sanju Samson’s pivotal role in selecting the retained players. Dravid emphasized the importance of stability and a strong core, revealing that Samson's perspective and understanding were crucial in deciding which players to retain. The franchise has secured six players, including Samson, to maintain a solid foundation for the upcoming season.

Samson’s involvement in the Retention process

Rahul Dravid confirmed that Sanju Samson, Rajasthan Royals' captain and wicketkeeper-batter, was actively involved in the retention decisions, reflecting his commitment and deep understanding of the team. Samson, who has led the franchise for several years, was retained as the first pick along with five other key players—Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, and Sandeep Sharma.

Speaking on Samson’s role, Dravid mentioned, "Sanju Samson played a big role in the retention process, and it wasn’t an easy decision. He has built strong relationships within the team and has shown balanced judgment throughout." Dravid praised Samson’s leadership qualities, noting that his input helped shape the core of Rajasthan Royals, a team that aims to build on its strengths and remain competitive in the IPL.

Dravid further explained the rationale behind retaining a stable core, stating, “Retaining six players brings stability. We trust in our talent and wanted to build a team with players who align with our vision.” He added that although retaining these players means less flexibility with finances during the auction, the move enables them to focus on filling specific gaps to build a balanced squad.

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Preparing for a strong season and auction dynamics

Dravid highlighted the expectations and challenges for Rajasthan Royals in the upcoming season, particularly with the goal of clinching the IPL title. "It’s been years since Rajasthan won a title, and our aim this season is to qualify and win," Dravid said. He acknowledged the intense competition within the IPL, stressing the need for strategic planning and adaptability at the auction table.

With recent changes in the Right to Match (RTM) rule, Dravid believes this auction will be different, allowing for new opportunities to build the team. "We have prepared a foundation with our retained core, and now we can look at adding depth to the squad,” Dravid explained. He emphasized the importance of preparation and flexibility in the auction, acknowledging the need to adjust based on the dynamic auction environment.

Dravid’s insights reflect the strategic approach Rajasthan Royals are taking for IPL 2025. With a captain invested in the team's future and a strong core in place, the Royals are setting the stage for a promising season.